Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year, we hopped on a plane and headed to Houston to be with  my family. It was definitely a climate change for sure! It was in the 30's here in KC and in the 60's in Houston. We had to dig out our shorts from the Summer tubs. We had a great time playing games, visiting with family, and EATING! On Thursday morning we woke up bright and early to do the Katy YMCA Turkey Trot. It was a great way to start off our day and helped us feel justified in eating a little more : )

 Here we are...all ready to go!

 The whole Thompson/Penland clan!

 We are ready to walk!

 We had so much fun walking together. The best part was when my Dad would cheer on the people who were supposed to be cheering us on! Very funny. They didn't quite know what to think of us!

 We finished and grabbed a few freebies before heading back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. After Thanksgiving dinner we took a few official family photos. Here is the whole Penland Family (except Kathy! We missed you!)  with smiling faces and full tummies! We are so glad to add Jenny, Jake and Nick to our family this year.

I think Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays to enjoy eachothers company and just focus on being together. We are so glad we were able to be with my family for this holiday and are anxiously awaiting coming home for Christmas!

Downtown Tree Lighting

Earlier this fall we moved from the Kansas side to Lee's Summit, MO. We are loving our new home and it's cute downtown! It has a real small town feel and they are always putting on fun events. Right before Thanksgiving, they had their downtown tree lighting extravaganza! We got all bundled up and went to enjoy the festivities! Bear even wore his snowflake bandana!

 He got so many compliments.



4th Annual Branigans in Branson

A few weekends ago, Chris and I met up with his family for our 4th Annual Branigans in Branson weekend! This has become a really fun tradition that I look forward to all year. We had a long weekend after parent-teacher conferences and headed to Branson early Friday morning. When we got there we went to the Fish Hatchery and looked at a TON of fish. We even got to watch a educational video about how they get so many fish for the hatchery. Those poor girl fish. This may or may not have scarred me for life.

 After the video experience, we went down to the river so David could do a little fishing. There were lots of people there fly fishing. Later we headed down to the Branson Landing to do a little shopping at eat at Famous Daves. YUM!!

 On Saturday we did a little more outlet shopping and then went to the Dixie Stampede! This is a Branigan Family Favorite. They were doing their Christmas show which is always a delight. My favorite part is after the show when you can go out and see all the horses as they put them in their stalls.

 Oh, and yes we did sport our Texas Ranger gear to the Dixie Stampede. Game 3 of the World Series was on later that night.

 Rangers WIN Game 3!!!

On Saturday night, after we came home from the Dixie Stampede, we built a bonfire and had smores. On Sunday we hung around the cabin, did a little more fishing, and then it was time for us to head home!